Suction unit for mobile work equipment and devices

ABSTRACT

The suction unit for material and rotary working equipment, the said material including a platform with means of rotation housing a tank, in which the suction unit is housed, a piping position opening connected to the work tool, an air inlet including three stacked components (6) (7) and (8) and mounted in upper, middle and lower positions, arranged to ensure air circulation, the lower component (8) is in the form of a bowl with perforations for the upwards passage of air, the middle component (7) is supported on the lower component (8) and has a central opening for positioning the lower part in the form of a ring of an motor-turbine which is mounted and fixed on a support plate which is connected to the middle part in the form of a tray (7), the said ring shape has openings for the passage of air, the upper component (6) is in the shape of a bell and is positioned above the components (7) and (8) and has openings in its upper surface for the passage of air, the said component (6) forms an interior volume with the component (7) for housing the upper part of an motor-turbine, the said suction unit is characterized in that in that the components (6) (7) and (8) define one and only air circulation unit which ensures the double function of air suction and ventilation and cooling of the motor-turbine, and in that the components (7) and (8) are assembled with a peripheral sealing gasket, and in that the intermediary tray (7) of the component forms a passage with the circular support plate, support of the motor-turbine, and in that the sucked air, entering through the inlet formed on the tank traverses the filtering system, passes through the lower part of the motor-turbine comprised by the part of the ring then passes through the passage openings that guide the air in the interior volume defined by the component in the shape of a bell (6) and the component (7) that ensures the ventilation of the motor-turbine, and in that the air is evacuated by the openings formed in the upper part of the bell, and in that the motor-turbine is a high frequency or brushless motor.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The invention pertains to the technical sector of the mobile equipment fitted with industrial suction pumps for the execution, using different types of tools, of sanding, grinding and drilling work on the walls, surfaces, ceilings, and floors of buildings being constructed.

2. Description of the Related Art

The invention also pertains to the technical sector of the material and equipment required for suction of dust, waste matter and other objects.

For several years the Applicant has been satisfactorily operating the mobile work equipment, which includes suction units that are connected to sanding and grinding equipment such as a hand-held sanding machine. Thus, within the context of prior art, we have shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 a suction unit used, manufactured and marketed by the Applicant. The entire body of mobile working equipment is thus referred to by (ER) and includes a platform (1) with the means of mobility (2) which houses a cylindrical tank (3) on which a suction unit is positioned (A). An air inlet (4) is made in the median part of the tank. The suction unit (A) is connected and is attached to the upper part (3 a) of the said tank, and then a handle is fitted and positioned in any appropriate manner using a mounting clip (5) or an equivalent device. The piping position opening (B) connected to the working tool (not shown in figure) which ensures the suction of dust, waste matter and other types of detritus in the tank during operation, (3).

Thus, in FIGS. 2 and 5, we have shown the suction unit in its known design, consisting of three superposed and assembled components (6) (7) (8), which are in the upper, middle and lower position respectively. We have defined two independent air circulation circuits, one for suction of air (AA) and the other for ventilation and cooling (BB) of the motor. The lower component (8) is arranged in the form of a bowl and is made of molded plastic. It is likely that an easy assembly interchangeable cylindrical suction filter (9) will be fitted on its interior surface, which allows the passage of air from the circuit (AA) coming from the air inlet (4) which is positioned on the cylindrical tank (3). At the bottom (8.1) of this component (8) in the form of a bowl, there are perforations (8.2) for the passage of air upwards. A middle part (7), also made of molded plastic and in the shape of a circular tray, is likely to support the lower component (8). This tray shape has a circular central opening (7.1) to allow for positioning of the lower part, (10.1) in the form of a ring of a motor-turbine,(10) mounted and fixed on the said tray (7). This motor-turbine is thus mounted on a circular support plate (11) which is then sealed and supported on the lower surface of the intermediary tray using a peripheral sealing gasket (12). The said shape of the lower ring of the motor-turbine encircles the openings (8.2) in the lower part of the component (8) in the form of a bowl in order to guide the passage of the suction air. The ring part of the motor-turbine has radial cracks (10.2) for the passage and evacuation of suction air. The middle component (7) acts as a partial peripheral support to the component (8) in the form of a bow, such that the suction air (AA) can circulate in the direction of the arrow (F1) which is represented in the diagrams, and can exit the suction unit. As shown in FIG. 2, a double bend configuration may be provided (13) inside the ring for the circulation of suction air, and this is a known fact. The upper component (6) is a piece of molded plastic in the shape of a bell, and is positioned above the components (7) and (8). This component (6) thus forms an internal volume with the component (7) for housing the upper part (10.3) of the motor-turbine (10). The component (6) has openings in its upper surface (6.1) which allow the introduction of air for ventilation and cooling of the motor. Passages (14) are provided between the components (6) and (7) for the evacuation of ventilation air in accordance with the circuit (BB) which is identified by the arrow (F2) represented in FIG. 2.

In this implementation in accordance with the prior art, there are two independent circuits with two different sources of air, and with different functions. In this known implementation, the method of implementation of the motor-turbine involves a universal motor which must be ventilated from the inside and cannot be ventilated through air suction. This results in load losses and the operation of the motor-turbine at very high speeds and noise production. Since the suction air is polluted and the universal motor must be cooled between the rotor and the stator, heating it results in high levels of heat being produced. The longevity of such a motor-turbine unit is 3,000 hours with recorded wear and tear of the brooms and deterioration of the collector. It is also important to resolve the problem of sealing between the two air circuits (AA) and (BB). For informational purposes, the rotation speed of the motor-turbine is 28,000 RPM.

The approach of the Applicant was thus to reflect upon these different problems and find a solution which provides more comfortable use, reduction in noise, a better power output of the suction unit and reduction in costs.

The solution provided by the Applicant perfectly responds to the disadvantages of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with the initial characteristic, the suction unit for material and rotary working equipment, the said material including a platform with means of rotation housing a tank, in which the suction unit is housed, a piping position opening connected to the work tool, an air inlet including three stacked components and mounted in upper, middle and lower positions, arranged to ensure air circulation, the lower component is in the form of a bowl with perforations for the upwards passage of air, the middle component is supported on the lower component and has a central opening for positioning the lower part in the form of a ring of an motor-turbine which is mounted and fixed on a support plate which is connected to the middle part in the form of a tray, the said ring shape has openings for the passage of air, the upper component is in the shape of a bell and is positioned above the components and has openings in its upper surface for the passage of air, the said components forms an interior volume with the component for housing the upper part of an motor-turbine, the said suction unit is remarkable in that the components define one and only air circulation unit which ensures the double function of air suction and ventilation and cooling of the motor-turbine, and in that the components are assembled with a peripheral sealing gasket, and in that the intermediary tray of the component forms a passage with the circular support plate, support of the motor-turbine, and in that the sucked air, entering through the inlet formed on the tank traverses the filtering system, passes through the lower part of the motor-turbine comprised by the part of the ring then passes through the passage openings that guide the air in the interior volume defined by the component in the shape of a bell and the component that ensures the ventilation of the motor-turbine, and in that the air is evacuated by the openings formed in the upper part of the bell, and in that the motor-turbine is a high frequency or brushless motor.

These characteristics and others shall be expounded on later in the description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To determine the purpose of the invention illustrated in a non-limiting manner in the figures or drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a suction unit mounted on a roller bogie, in a known manner.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the suction unit as per the prior art with its different components and with the definition of both air circuits, the air suction on the one hand and the ventilation air and motor-turbine cooling on the other.

FIG. 3 is a partial view of the exterior, as per the prior art, of the mounted suction unit with the illustration of both air circuits.

FIGS. 4 and 5 depict a partial view illustrating the mounting of the suction unit represented in FIGS. 2 and 3 in order to show the positioning of the components 6, 7 and 8 of the said unit.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the suction unit in accordance with the invention, with the implementation of a single air circulation unit (CC) identified by the arrow (F3).

FIGS. 7 and 8 depict a partial view illustrating the mounting of the suction unit in accordance with the invention and its various components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to render the purpose of the invention more practical, it has now been described in a non-limiting manner and illustrated in the drawings and figures.

For better understanding of the invention, the same references shall be used to identify the same components.

Referring to FIGS. 6 to 8 in particular, the invention implements the same three components (6), (7) and (8) of the suction unit, but with the implementation of a single and unique air circulation unit (CC) which ensures both suction of air and ventilation and cooling of the motor-turbine. This arrangement is rendered possible by eliminating the peripheral sealing gasket (12) between component (7) and component (8), and on the other hand, by ensuring that the peripheral gasket (16) between the components (7) and (8) is sealed when they are connected. The middle tray comprising the component (7) thus leaves a passage (15) between the circular support plate (11), which supports the motor-turbine. Thus the air circulation (CC) takes place as represented in FIG. 6, i.e., the sucked air entering through the air inlet (4) on the tank (3) traverses the filtering system (9), then passes through the lower part of the motor-turbine unit which consists of the ring part (10.1), then passes through the passage openings (15) through which the air passes in the interior volume formed by the component in the shape of a bell (6) and component (7). The motor-turbine is thus ventilated and the air is evacuated through the openings (17) which are formed in the upper part of the bell, and in particular, in the zones where the components (6) and (7) are connected and superposed. The solution provides advantages in that it allows the use of a high frequency or brushless motor which is sufficiently ventilated by the abovementioned air circulation. The said motor is cooled from the exterior, and there is a risk that the cooling air might consist of particulate pollution smaller than 1 micron. The output of the suction is better, since as per the tests carried out, it is between 70% and 95%. The implementation is easier. The choice of the motor-turbine is an important factor in reducing costs.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure. 

1. A suction unit for material and rotary working equipment, comprising: a tank, in which the suction unit is housed; an air inlet formed in the tank; three stacked components mounted in upper, middle, and lower positions and arranged to ensure air circulation; wherein the lower component is in a form of a bowl with perforations for upwards passage of air; wherein the middle component is in a form of a tray, is supported on the lower component, and has a central opening for receiving a lower part of a motor-turbine, which is in a form of a ring and is mounted and fixed on a support plate which is connected to the middle component, the ring having openings for passage of air; wherein the upper component is in a shape of a bell, is positioned above the lower and middle components, and has openings in its upper surface for passage of air; wherein the upper component forms an interior volume with the middle component for housing an upper part of the motor-turbine; and wherein the suction unit and the components define one and only one air circulation unit which ensures air suction and ventilation and cooling of the motor-turbine.
 2. The suction unit of claim 1, wherein the middle and lower components are assembled with a peripheral sealing gasket and the tray forms an intermediate passage with the support plate.
 3. The suction unit of claim 2, wherein the air circulation unit enters through the air inlet, traverses a filtering system, passes through the lower part of the motor-turbine, passes through the intermediate passage, passes through the interior volume, and exits through the openings in the upper surface of the upper component.
 4. The suction unit of claim 3, wherein the motor-turbine includes a high-frequency motor.
 5. The suction unit of claim 3, wherein the motor-turbine includes a brushless motor. 